High Court acquits PTA accused

[TamilNet, Saturday, 16 April 2005, 18:13 GMT]The Colombo High Court last week acquitted Tamil youth John Mariyaseelan, indicted under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) with the possession of a suicide jacket and a hand grenade, due to lack of evidence against the accused, legal sources said.

The Kotahena Police arrested John Mariyaseelan of Kudathanai,
Manatkadu in Jaffna district on 7.2.2001 from a hotel where he was staying.

The Police said the suspect was in possession of a suicide jacket and hand grenade at that time arrest, legal sources said.

Later the youth was indicted under the PTA in the Colombo High Court for inquiry. Due to lack of evidence the High Court Judge acquitted the accused. The court also ordered that the released youth should be handed over to the International Committee of Red cross (ICRC) to ensure his safe travel to his village in Jaffna district, legal sources said.

Attorney-at-Law Mr.Poopalan of the Home for the Human Rights in Colombo appeared for the accused, sources said.